2

Getting Acquainted

This chapter provides information about adding the first network computer to your system. The procedures it contains help you become familiar with the network computer's Boot Monitor and Setup utility when establishing communications with the host computer.

Note:

If you are familiar with network computers, go to Chapter 3, Making Choices, for information about integrating network computers into your environment.

The following steps are performed during a basic network computer installation:

• Collect booting information about your network computer and environment.
• Use the Boot Monitor to enter network computer communication parameters.
• Use Client Launcher to open a host connection.

Gathering Information

To start, complete the following work sheet. The information is used later in this chapter.

Example 2-1. Getting Acquainted Worksheet

1. Network computer's TDEnet name: ______________
2. Network computer's TDEnet address: ______________
3. Network computer's Ethernet address (located on the label attached to the

network computer): _____________________________

4. Boot host's TDEnet address: ______________

After gathering the information, begin with the following steps.

1. Verify that the VMS Install media has been installed on your host.
2. On the host, update the NCP database to include the network computer. If you entered the network computer's TDEnet name and address, Ethernet address, and boot file name as part of the Installation process, skip this step and go on to step 4.

To update the NCP database, enter the following command:

@TEK$TOOLS:TEKXP_ADD

When prompted, enter the following information about the network computer:

• TDEnet name (worksheet line 1)
• TDEnet address (worksheet line 2)
• Ethernet address (worksheet line 3)
• boot file name. Use Table 2-1 to determine your boot file.

Table 2-1 Boot Files 

Boot File	Supported Network Computer Series
XP330_OS.SYS	XP100D, XP330 Series (for example, XP338)
XP350_OS.SYS	XP100 Series, XP200 Series, XP350 Series, and XP400 Series (examples: XP117C, XP219, XP358)
XP500_OS.SYS	NC200 Series (for example, N200X)
XP500_OS.SYS	NC400 Series (for example, N400X2)
NC900_OS.SYS	NC900 Series (for example, N916)

If the information is correct, answer Y for Yes at the Is this correct? prompt. If you made a mistake, enter N for No and enter the correct information.

3. On the host, add a proxy entry for the network computer in the Proxy database by entering the following command:

@TEK$TOOLS:MAINTAIN_TEKXPRESS_ACCT

When prompted to create a TEKXPRESS account, enter Y for Yes.

• Enter the network computer's TDEnet node name (worksheet line 1).

A proxy entry is created and the Proxy database is updated to include the network computer.

Booting the Network Computer

1. Verify the physical installation of the network computer's cables, keyboard, mouse, and network connection with the pictorial installation sheet included in the packing box.
2. Turn on the network computer's power switch. On the first power-up, after all of the diagnostics are completed, you must specify the keyboard you're using. By default, the North American Windows 95, 101/102, or VT200 is selected (depending on the connected keyboard). Press Enter or Return to accept this keyboard. If using a UNIX keyboard or a foreign language keyboard, press the Spacebar to scroll through the list of available keyboards and press Enter or Return to select the appropriate keyboard.

After specifying the keyboard, press Return or Enter again to display the BOOT> prompt.

Note that the current status is displayed on the scoreboard located in the upper right corner. As you enter Boot Monitor commands, the status changes.

3. Enter h and press Return to see a full list of Boot Monitor commands:
   BOOT> h
4. Enter the bmethod command to specify MOP as the boot method to download the network computer boot files:
   BOOT> bmethod MOP
5. Enter the nvsave command to save your boot parameters to NVRAM:
   BOOT> nvsave
6. Enter the boot command to boot the network computer:
   BOOT> boot

Once communications are established, and the boot file is located, the Percent of File Loaded slide bar appears, showing the load progress. After the network computer code is loaded, messages appear indicating whether or not subsequent files are found.

Note:

If the network computer does not boot, refer to Chapter 7, Troubleshooting.

The network computer has finished the boot process when the HostMenu appears as shown in Figure 2-1.

Figure 2-1 HostMenu

Starting a Session with Launcher

Client Launcher is used to start local clients by selecting a client from a menu. An arrow to the right of a Client Launcher entry indicates a submenu that contains additional local clients. In Figure 2-2, selecting Host Connections displays a submenu listing available host connections, such as Telnet or Cterm.

Figure 2-2 Example Client Launcher

Press the SHIFT-Pause keys to bring up the Client Launcher. The symbol in the left margin indicates a Launcher menu selection. If the Launcher is not present, press the SHIFT-Pause keys or key sequence for your keyboard.

Table 2-2 Key Sequences for Displaying the Client Launcher

Keyboard Type	Press
101/102 with Setup	Setup key
Windows 95	SHIFT-Pause
101/102 with Pause	SHIFT-Pause
Sun keyboard	ALT-GRAPH-HELP
3270 keyboard	Right ALT-ExSel (The left ALT key does not work)
LK401	F3 key
UNIX keyboard	Alt-Graph

You can customize the Launcher client for your users through the system.launcher file. Refer to Starting the Client Launcher in Chapter 5, Supporting a Centralized System, for details.

Logging in with Cterm

Cterm provides a direct connection from the network computer to a host.

To open a Cterm session from Launcher:

1. Position the pointer on the Host Connections option to display the submenu. Select Cterm to open a Cterm window.

Figure 2-3 Cterm Window Waiting for a Set Host Command

2. Use the mouse to position the pointer in the Cterm window. You can type help and press Enter to see a list of Cterm commands.
3. Type:

CTERM> sethost hostname

where hostname is the node address of the host.

Figure 2-4 Cterm Set Host Command

Once a connection is made (Figure 2-5), you can log in:

Figure 2-5 Cterm Window With a Host Connection

4. At the Username: prompt, log in to the host computer by entering your user name:

Username: user_name

5. At the Password prompt, enter your password:

Password: password

6. Type your user name at the Username: prompt and press Enter.
7. Type your password at the Password: prompt and press Enter.

Closing a Cterm Window

To close the Cterm window from the NSH> or CTERM> prompt, type quit or exit and press Enter.

Using Setup

Setup is a utility where you can add, modify, and display network parameters. The Setup main menu is illustrated in Figure 2-6. The Setup main menu is made up of four different areas: Menu Bar, Menu Input, Function Bar, and Message Box.

Figure 2-6 The Setup Main Menu

Note:

The Setup window on your network computer may look different from this example based on your network computer model.

Use the following procedure to enter configuration parameters using Setup. After each typed entry, press Enter.

1. Drag in the Configuration Summaries menu and release on TDEnet.
   • Enter the following:
     TDEnet Network Computer Name    network_computer_name
     Default Cterm Host     host_ name
   • Click on Return to Main Menu.
2. Drag in the Configuration Summaries menu and release on
   X Environment.
   • Select the following:
     Host Connect Method     HostMenu
     Default Host List     VMS TDEnet
   • Click on Return to Main Menu.
3. Click on Save Current Settings to store the current settings in NVRAM.

Saving Setup Settings to a File

Setup entries can be saved to a host-based file which can then be used to configure one or more network computers. This is a good utility to create an initial remote configuration file, or for users to create an individual, customized remote configuration file.

• If the specified file already exists, Setup overwrites it. Unless you are sure you wish to overwrite the file, you may want to specify a temporary file name or create a backup of your previous file.
• Only settings available in Setup are saved to the file. Features that are only available in the remote configuration file (xp.cnf) must be manually added to the file written by Setup.

To save the current Setup settings to a sample remote configuration file:

1. Drag in the Configuration Summaries menu and release on Save Settings to File.
2. Enter your host name or address:
   Save Settings File Host host_name
3. Click on DAP for the Save Setting Access Method.
4. Enter the full path and file name:
   Save Settings File Name file_name
5. Click on Save Settings to File. A message appears to confirm the settings were written to the file.
6. Click on Return to Main Menu.

You can edit or view the created file with a text editor. Since we have only made a few changes in this chapter, the created file probably does not have all the information your site requires, but can serve as an example of a remote configuration file.

Exiting Setup

When you are ready to exit Setup, click on the Exit Setup button.

Once you have successfully completed a basic network computer installation, go on to Chapter 3, Making Choices and develop a centralized administration scheme for a complete network computer installation.